7 minutes ago Rachel Reeves is warned that hiking fuel duty by 5p a litre will make the UK even more of an outlier in Europe

The TaxPayers' Alliance claims that if the Chancellor does not renew a 5p cut in fuel duty, the UK will rise to sixth highest for petrol compared with EU countries.

Events

2 hours ago UK’s £2.26bn loan for Ukraine ‘can help turn the tables on Putin’s war machine’

Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Defence Secretary John Healey announced the move, which will be funded by profits on frozen Russian assets.

Politics

2 hours ago Rise in bailout requests ‘likely’ as councils warn of bankruptcy threat

The number of councils applying for Government financial support is expected to rise significantly without an improved funding settlement.

Events

9 hours ago Swinney refuses to rule out freeze on tax thresholds in Scottish budget

The First Minister said he would not comment on what would be in the upcoming budget but added that investment in public services was vital.

Economics

9 hours ago Home Secretary grilled on use of Treasury reserves to fund asylum hotels

Her shadow James Cleverly rejected allegations that the previous government left accommodation costs undisclosed.

Society

10 hours ago Employment rights bill will cost firms £5bn per year but benefits will justify costs, government says – UK politics live

Analysis from business and trade department says bill will significantly strengthen workers’ rightIn the past the weirdest budget tradition was the convention that the chancellor is allowed to drink alcohol while delivering the budget speech. But since no chancellor has taken advantage of the rule since the 1990s (and no one expects Rachel Reeves to be quaffing on Wednesday week), this tradition is probably best viewed as lapsed.But Sam Coates from Sky News has discovered another weird budget ritual. On his Politics at Jack and Sam’s podcast, he says:Someone messaged me to say: ‘Did you know that over in the Treasury as they’ve been going over all these spending settlements, in one of the offices, its full of balloons. And every time an individual department finalises its settlements, o...

Economics

11 hours ago Budget 2024: National Insurance rumours explained and if changes will affect your payslip

Rachel Reeves is said to be considering a hike to employer National Insurance contributions as part of her Autumn Budget.

Economics

11 hours ago Tax on high earners ruled out as Rachel Reeves looks to plug £40bn Budget black hole

Sources close to the chancellor issue clarification after minister refuses six times to say whether Britons on six-figure salaries count as ‘working people’

Economics

13 hours ago No 10 says Starmer won’t offer reparations or apology over Britain’s role in slavery at Commonwealth summit – UK politics live

Government opposed to idea of paying reparations for Britain’s historic role in slave trade and will not issue apology at Commonwealth meetingIn the past the weirdest budget tradition was the convention that the chancellor is allowed to drink alcohol while delivering the budget speech. But since no chancellor has taken advantage of the rule since the 1990s (and no one expects Rachel Reeves to be quaffing on Wednesday week), this tradition is probably best viewed as lapsed.But Sam Coates from Sky News has discovered another weird budget ritual. On his Politics at Jack and Sam’s podcast, he says:Someone messaged me to say: ‘Did you know that over in the Treasury as they’ve been going over all these spending settlements, in one of the offices, its full of balloons. And every time an indivi...

Politics